Lycoming had originally sued Interstate Southwest over the issue
of failed crankshafts, claiming that the latter had overheated
forgings that were used to produce the crankshafts, resulting in
weakening that led to the failures. However, Interstate countered
that Lycoming's design for the crankshafts was flawed, and their
decision to add Vanadium to make the metal used for the forgings
stronger exacerbated the problem.

"At this point,
Lycoming just recently received the verdict and we're studying it
very carefully," said Karen Gordon, Textron spokeswoman, to the
Wichita Business Journal. "We strongly disagree with the outcome of
this case and we're going to very aggressively pursue post trial
motions and the appellate process, if necessary, and firmly believe
we're going to prevail."

The issue stems from the failures of crankshafts in engines
installed in Cessna, Piper and other aircraft. From 2000 to 2002,
24 crankshafts failed, resulting in 12 fatalities.